Signature Events

Each year the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion collaborates with campus partners to create a robust line up of signature events. This page showcases some of our annual events.

Please select the program that you would like to learn more about.

Social Justice Series

An annual series of events focused on a specific social justice related theme. Our goal is to raise awareness, educate, and engage the campus community in social justice. Past Social Justice Series themes have included “Equity and Access to Education,” “Engaging in a Meaningful Race Dialogue," "The Year of the Ally," and "Examining the Prison Industrial Complex. This program is usually one semester in length, with the exception of "The Year of the Ally," our 2013-2014 theme. Events during the Social Justice Series have included lectures from notable speakers and politicians, film screenings, workshops, and more.

The 2016 Social Justice Series will focus on the intersection of environmental justice and social justice. This year's program will be created in partnership with the Center for Community Engagement.

Latinx Heritage Month

Latinx Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 each year. Events are coordinated by Suffolk University Hispanic Association and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

LGBTQ History Month, National Coming Out Day, and Spirit Day

LGBTQ History Month is held every October and includes a series of programs coordinated by the Queer Student Union and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, the day we celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.

Spirit Day is held each year on October 16 as an opportunity to stand up against bullying and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is held each November and is a celebration of the diverse cultures that comprise the Indigenous/First Nation peoples of the land now known as North and South America. These programs are coordinated by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance

Suffolk held its first Transgender Awareness Week in November of 2013 to focus on the lives of Transgender people and bring awareness to the particular issues the trans community faces and to celebrate gender diversity.

Each year on November 20 we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance, a time for us to remember those lost in the past year due to anti-trans violence.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Event

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Event is our annual celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Creating the Dream Award is presented each year at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Event in recognition of the outstanding efforts of an individual organization or department at the university in services to Suffolk’s students of color.

This very popular event is a ticketed and often requires a wait list. If you are interested in attending the event, be sure to reserve your space shortly after we begin accepting reservations. Instructions on how to RSVP will be released at the end of the Fall semester.

Black History Month

Every February we celebrate Black History Month. This is a series of programs coordinated by the Black Student Union and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. During this month of programs we will celebrate Africa and African diaspora, Black history in the United States, and Black leaders in history and on our campus.

Women's Herstory Month is held each March and is a celebration of women of all (or no) genders and assigned sexes and their contributions to American history, culture, and society. These programs are coordinated by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

Social Justice Summit

The Social Justice Summit is a day-long interactive conference for students to explore multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice. Past speakers have included Vernon Wall, Jamie Washington, Kathy O’Bear, Joe Weston, Becky Martinez, Jamie Utt, and Pakou Her.

Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

April is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Suffolk University. Each year the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Asian American Association, and several other student orgs plan programming to celebrate the history and culture of Asian and Asian American students.

LGBTQ Pride Month

LGBTQ Pride Month happens on campus every April, as students aren't on campus for Pride Month in June. Programming during the month is coordinated by the Queer Student Union and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.

The 1913 Celebration

The 1913 Celebration is a recognition ceremony for graduating LGBTQ students, International Students, Students of Color, and their allies. This event is co-sponsored by The Alumni Association and International Student Services. 1913 is the year that Suffolk graduate its first “diverse” student. Thaddeus Alexander Kitchener from Kingston, Jamaica is thought to be Suffolk’s first Black graduate. Since that time Suffolk has graduated many diverse students from various backgrounds, cultures, countries of origin, gender identities, and sexual orientations.